Page:Journal of Conversations with Lord Byron.pdf/54

 never been so much affected as on hearing Moore sing some of them, particularly "When I first met thee," which, he said, made him shed tears. "But," added he, with a look full of archness,"it was after I had drunk a certain portion of very potent white brandy." As he laid a peculiar stress on the word affected, I smiled, and the sequel of the white brandy made me smile again; he asked me the cause, and I answered that his observation reminded me of the story of a lady offering her condolence to a poor Irishwoman on the death of her child, who stated that she had never been more affected than on the event; the poor woman, knowing the hollowness of the compliment, answered, with all the quickness of her country, "Sure, then, ma'am, that is saying a great deal, for you were always affected." Lord Byron laughed, and said my apropos was very wicked, but I maintained it was very just. He spoke much more warmly of Moore's social attractions as a companion, which he said were unrivalled, than of his merits as a poet.

He offered to be our cicerone in pointing out all the pretty drives and rides about Genoa; recommended riding as the only means of seeing the country, many of the fine points of view being inaccessible, except on horseback; and he praised Genoa on account of the rare advantage